A better setting for the Murray of Atholl

[creagdhubh]

Beautiful hair sporrans as well, I might add. Several years ago, I commissioned the sporran makers at L&M Highland Outfitters, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, to produce a bespoke sporran molach. The design is based upon a hair sporran worn by Lachlan Macpherson of Strathmashie and Catlodge, also known as Lachlan Mor, since he was Champion of Scotland during the nineteenth-century. This design is very similar to what the pipers and officers wear in the Atholl Highlanders, a style of cantle and 6 tassles, which I am quite fond of.

My version is indeed made of a white horsehair body, 6 short tassles of black horsehair, silver thistle embossed cones, silver thistle embossed cantle trimming with a black patent leather interior, and a silver thistle affixed to the center of the cantle. I plan to have the thistle removed and affix my bespoke silver badge (courtesy of metalsmith, Garth Duncan of Skye) of Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich, or "The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson", of which I was personally awarded several years ago by my Chief, Sir William Macpherson of Cluny and Blairgowrie, TD. I would like to have other colour combinations made in the same sporran design and style (grey and black, grey and white, black and white, brown and white, brown and black, etc) at some point in the future.

My Na Dionadairean Clann Mhuirich (The Guardians of the Clan Macpherson) bespoke silver badge.


Lachlan Mor in the Macpherson dress tartan (and Ewan Macpherson) painted by Victorian artist, Kenneth MacLeay, RSA.


Detail of my hair sporran.


Another photo - sorry it's a wee bit grainy.


Slainte,

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Good question David, as I would like to know too. I think you are spot on with your colour assessment of the piper's kilt. I love how bold and wide the red stripes are. Perhaps Matthew Newsome will have an idea which mill produced this Murray of Atholl variant.

Cordially,

I'm honored that you think I would! However, I have no idea. I'd be willing to wager, though, that when the order was put in for the cloth they had a detailed conversation with whatever mill took the order over the specific color shades they desired.

I know Bob Martin told me once that he would sometimes order a tartan in the "ancient" colors from Dalgleish but request that they use a "modern" red for the stripes such as this. He said it had a very pleasing effect. I've been half tempted to try it out on an Armstrong kilt for myself -- like I need another one!

[xman]

Any idea who the mill was that produced this fabric? I really like the shades of blue and green used. Looks like a "light" modern or a "dark" ancient, but the red is still a true red.

Is what we are perceiving a 'trick of the light' so to speak because of the camera settings? I read very similar colours from Kyle's kilt here.

Another photo - sorry it's a wee bit grainy.


Slainte,

[creagdhubh]

I'm honored that you think I would! However, I have no idea. I'd be willing to wager, though, that when the order was put in for the cloth they had a detailed conversation with whatever mill took the order over the specific color shades they desired.

I know Bob Martin told me once that he would sometimes order a tartan in the "ancient" colors from Dalgleish but request that they use a "modern" red for the stripes such as this. He said it had a very pleasing effect. I've been half tempted to try it out on an Armstrong kilt for myself -- like I need another one!

You rightly deserve such an honour to be bestowed upon you Matt - you have definitely earned it mate! Your explanation is well said and makes complete sense. I wonder how different the sett actually is in the photo of the Atholl piper, versus, say what Lochcarron's Strome version of the Murray of Atholl tartan really is? I assume the Atholl men wear their kilts in the 16-18oz range - especially to achieve the hallmark of any well made kilt, its swing! Thanks for your response Matt!

Cheers,

[creagdhubh]

Xman,

Valid point - not completely sure. Unfortunately that partilcuar photo of me, isn't the best in terms of its bluriness - not sure why that happened, as the photo was taken with a digital camera and has only been cropped - no other modification.

[pauljsharp]

Beautiful tartan and smart dress!!! I love their look. Thank you for the photos. Are there any other private regiments that have similar parades done so wonderfully?

[davidlpope]

Beautiful tartan and smart dress!!! I love their look. Thank you for the photos. Are there any other private regiments that have similar parades done so wonderfully?

I believe the Atholl Highlanders are the only private army in the world...

[longhuntr74]

Although the current Atholl Highlanders' kilts are modern most of their plaids are still Wilsons' cloth c1840. I went through their chests earlier this year and it's amazing how many variations on a theme there are. Almost all the same setting but is=n widely different shades depending on when they were purchased. There were two main buy, one in about 1832 and another in 1848 for the Eglinton Match. There are also a couple of plaid in Murray Mansfield tartan there too.

I did notice that the plaids were not the same as the kilts (almost appeared to be a muted or Wilson's colors...I guess they are Wilson's...just not reproduction!) I also noted quite a bit of variation between the plaids even...at the outset I assumed that it might have something to do with the individual's tenure in the unit (like you can tell a seasoned US paratrooper by his faded maroon beret), but now I know that it's not fading from 30 years of wear, rather, possibly, 170+ years! Talk about tradition and lineage!

[figheadair]

I did notice that the plaids were not the same as the kilts (almost appeared to be a muted or Wilson's colors...I guess they are Wilson's...just not reproduction!) I also noted quite a bit of variation between the plaids even...at the outset I assumed that it might have something to do with the individual's tenure in the unit (like you can tell a seasoned US paratrooper by his faded maroon beret), but now I know that it's not fading from 30 years of wear, rather, possibly, 170+ years! Talk about tradition and lineage!

The plaids are definitely original WoB material. The reason that a lot of them look faded is that in many the blue is a purplish hue due to having been dyed with Logwood rather than indigo. Logwood was cheaper but far less colour fast. It looks as though the plaids were a job lot so to speak and I bet the Duke of the time had no idea that they'd still be around some 170 years later.

I have a picture of four plaids all in the same sett size but each using different shades blue and green making some fascinating visual variations.

I know Bob Martin told me once that he would sometimes order a tartan in the "ancient" colors from Dalgleish but request that they use a "modern" red for the stripes such as this. He said it had a very pleasing effect. I've been half tempted to try it out on an Armstrong kilt for myself -- like I need another one!

I'm honored that you think I would! However, I have no idea. I'd be willing to wager, though, that when the order was put in for the cloth they had a detailed conversation with whatever mill took the order over the specific color shades they desired.

I think that the modern kilts are either Dalgliesh or HoE cloth. They are clearly based on one of the Wilsons' pieces, the sett size is the same as are most of the colours but these modern kilts use a shade of blue that I haven't found amongst the surviving WoB pieces and in fact is not a Wilsons' shade.

What makes the WoB setting particularly attractive are the broad stripes which was a common feature in a lot of early Wilsons' pieces compared with what's woven today. Their Urquhart is another tartan that is so much better with a broader stripe.

[Jock Scot]

I believe the Atholl Highlanders are the only private army in the world...

I suppose it depends how you define a "private army", but I think the Atholl Highlanders claim to be the only private army in Europe.

We were at the parade on Saturday and as usual they put on a fine show.In fact, it was rather sharp. Sadly the Duke was not there this year and their long serving CO had also died earlier in the week, but I think His Grace is leading his men when they parade for the Queen at the Braemar Games later on in the year.